LEAD POISONING IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM

500 million lead acid batteries are recycled each year and nearly 900,000 people die as a result of lead exposure, mainly caused by improper recycling. Lead binds with the bones of pregnant women, leaches into her milk, and takes the place of calcium in the bones of her unborn baby.

Developed countries use large centralised smelters,but in emerging economies, Kenya, Mexico, India, communities fiercely reject large destructive smelting in favour of local, informal operations. These are ill equipped but enterprising individuals doing what it takes to survive. Breaking batteries with an axe and melting lead in a kettle, comes at a great cost to them, their families and their community.

In our first target market, India, 300 million people suffer, costing the government as estimated $230bn is in lost gdp.

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